Difference Between Cot and Cot Bed

Key Difference – Cot vs Cot Bed
 

Cots and cot beds are small beds that are specially designed for children. The difference between cot and cot bed is their size and durability. Cot beds are typically larger than cots and can be also used as child-bed since their sides can be removed. However, cots cannot be used as child-beds. This is the key difference between cot and cot bed.

What is a Cot?

A cot is a small bed that is designed for infants and young children. Many parents choose cots for their babies few months after the birth. During the first few months, parents place their children in bassinets, Moses baskets or their own beds. Cots are more stable and larger in size and allow the baby more room to roll and move. However, once the child reaches two or three years he or should be moved to a junior bed or child bed to prevent injuries while trying to climb out of the cot.

Cots are typically made with several safety measures and standards to avoid hazards like entrapment, falls, strangulation and suffocation. Cots have barred or latticed sides; the distance between each bar should be somewhere between 1 inch and 2.6 inches. This is to prevent the babies’ heads from slipping between the bars. Some cots also have drop gates – sides that can be lowered.

Cots can be stationary or portable. Portable cots are usually made of light materials and some portable cots have wheels attached to them.

What is a Cot Bed

A cot bed is also bed that is specially designed for children. A cot bed is typically larger in size than a cot. It is basically a wide long cot that has removable sides and a removable end panel. Therefore, cot beds allow more space for the baby to move about, roll and stretch. However, cot beds typically don’t have drop gates which allow you to lower one side of the cot to put the baby inside.

When the baby is old enough to sleep in a bed, the cot bed can also be converted into a child-sized bed since it has removable sides. So it saves parents the hassle of buying two pieces of furniture. Cot bed is also a very wise investment since it can be used for a long time, both as a cot and a junior bed. It can be typically used until the child is about 8, 9 years old; however, this may also depend on the weight of the child.

What is the difference between Cot and Cot Bed?

Size:

Cot: Cots are typically smaller than cot beds.

Cot Bed: Cot beds are typically larger than cots.

Sides:

Cot: Cots have barred or latticed sides.

Cot Bed: Cot beds have removable sides.

Uses:

Cot: Cots can be used until the child is two or three years old.

Cot Bed: Cot beds can be used as child-beds after removing the sides.

Drop Gates:

Cot: Cots often have drop gates.

Cot Bed: Cot beds don’t have drop gates since their sides are removable.

Image Courtesy:

“890565” (Public Domain) via Pixbay

“Sleeping Reese” by Donnie Ray Jones (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr